By Brig (R) Agha Ahmad Gul
Introduction
“Pakistaniat” can be defined in many ways, but in essence it implies, an attitude of belonging with commitment to the nation-state called Pakistan. Every nation-state has fault lines which tend to divide its people. One of them is always “socio-economic”. Our province suffers from this, which is often referred to as “Deprivation”. I shall speak on the nature of it.
For this Deprivation, usually Punjab and sometimes even Pakistan is blamed. There is often a large gap between perceptions and realities. What then, is the reality? The truth? I tried to find the truth a long time ago and came to the conclusion, that partly the merciless geo-historic baggage of Balochistan, with some share of the federal government and partly we ourselves, are responsible for this lagging behind the rest of the country. Nevertheless, Balochistan has indeed, come a long-way, since Independence. I wish to share my perceptions with you.
- Sequence. I shall briefly explain:
Geo-Historic Realities
Pakistan’s Emergence
Indicators of Socio-Economic Status of Pakistan in 1947
Indicators of Socio-Economic Status of Kalati-Balochistan & British Balochistan in 1947
Socio-Economic Development in Balochistan after 1947
Geo-Historic Realities
- Geography and History determine, what we eat, how we dress, our values, aspirations, in short, the quality of our lives, our mind-set and culture. Balochistan is a victim of the tyranny of geography. The largest province of Pakistan with 350,000 sq km of land, comprises of Rocky Mountains, semi-desert, arid plateaus here and there. Rainfall is scanty and water scarce. Even the coastline has no sweet-water inland and there was no culture of sea faring. There are no rivers, only seasonal rainy nullahs. Till the British came in 1838, there were no towns, only villages, small and big due to lack of water.
- Weather is very harsh with great daily and seasonal variations. For thousands of years the tribes lived nomadic, pastoral life as the land was non-productive due to no water. Since ancient times agriculture was sparse, and dependent upon seasonal rains and Karezes. Water has always been so scarce that contours of land capable of holding scanty rain decided limits of clans’ pastoral rights. Mountains often rise vertically for hundreds of miles, isolating tribes and clans which developed a mind-set accordingly.
- Till the British came in 1838 and decided in 1878 to establish a military base at what became known as Quetta, there is no mention of any place or significance of Balochistan in history. As far back as Alexander in 350 BC, whose army certainly passed through Bolan Pass on way to Kandahar and Bacteria (Balkh) from the coast of Arabian Sea, there is no mention of anything in Balochistan. The genesis of backwardness and poverty of old Balochistan, called Turaan, is steeped in centuries of non-productive lands, lack of water and nomadic, tribal culture.
- The British had taken over Kalat in 1838 and placing a Resident, a Maj there, they allowed the Khans to run it, without doing any socio-economic development whatsoever. The Kalat and other three States, therefore, remained un-developed till 1947.
- In the aftermath of 2nd Afghan War in 1978-79, the English created British-Balochistan comprising some parts of Afghanistan and Sindh with Quetta as capital and directly ruled it through an Agent to Governor General. They linked Quetta, Chaman, Mir Java and Fort Sandeman with imperial British India through a metalled road and rail for military reasons to defend against an apprehended Russo-Franco invasion. The British undertook bare minimum socio-economic development in British-Balochistan but it certainly became many shades better than the Kalat States.
Pakistan’s Emergence
- What became Pakistan, including the Eastern wing, was never developed by the British over the previous 250 years of their colonial rule. They developed Northern India and its Eastern and Western seaboards for trade and governance. Punjab’s canal system had been developed for higher yield of crops and railways were laid down for strategic considerations. Karachi remained a small port. There were no industries and very little educational facilities. Pakistan thus started with this huge handicap of being far less developed than the Imperial-British India.
- Independence in a Haste. As per the British Parliament’s Act of India’s Independence, the last Viceroy Lord Mountbatten was to partition India in two Dominions in July 1948. Mountbatten announced on 10 July 1947 that Independence would be given to British-India on 15 August 1947. This was done apparently, only so that this smaller, new Dominion could not survive. There was no Central Government of Pakistan created, share of money had not been transferred. Even the currency was Indian. British-Indian Army’s share of Pakistan was still slowly withdrawing from Far East after the WWII and had not till then arrived.
- Indicators of Socio-Economic Status of Pakistan in 1947. What became West Pakistan was an agrarian society still using no machines. There was only one university, UoPunjab. National Electric Grid was only 100 km long linking Okara with Lahore. There is a long list of ‘didn’t have’! But let me read out to you extracts from a US magazine. One year later, The Life magazine dated January 5, 1948 introduced Pakistan. I quote some parts, verbatim:
”Despite Lack of Money & Skills 70 million Muslim Nation Fights to Avoid Collapse”. “Pakistan suddenly received its freedom last Aug, 15th, it still lacks most of the attributes of a modern nation. Today its capital of Karachi is partly a tent city and it’s fighting a close battle with economic bankruptcy. Of the 70 million Pakistanis 80% are farmers. With nearly 4 million Hindus who fled, Pakistan has almost complete lack of skilled technicians or businessmen.
At present there are 26,000 workers employed in industry. Only 34 railway repair shops, no match factories, no jute mills, no paper mills, only 16 cotton mills against India’s 857 exist. At the time of division, Hindu businessmen took out all the gold bullion, jewels and other liquid assets they could carry. With rioting, trade cut off, Pakistan’s income will not exceed 450 million rupees for the current year against an almost certain expenditures of 800 million.
Except for ailing Mr. Jinnah, Pakistan has few national leaders but it does have some people of importance who in a region or class dominate the people about them. (Only provincial level) Officials talk hopefully of foreign investment or loans, but in Pakistan’s present condition, the risks are not very attractive.” Unquote. This amply shows in what terrible socio-economic state Pakistan found itself on Independence.
- Indicators of Socio-Economic Status of Kalati-Balochistan & British-Balochistan in 1947
Just a few indicators at the time of Independence; there were 9 high schools in British-Balochistan, no college. Kalati-Balochistan only had madrasaas. Quetta had electricity available to 28,000 consumers and at Sibi, only the railway station had electricity. There was no electricity anywhere in what became Quetta and Kalat Divisions. No radio stations, telephones to a few officials and less than a dozen civilians. Only one asphalted single road and railway from Jacobabad to Quetta then Chaman and Fort Sandeman. No canals. Agriculture totally dependent upon Karezes and seasonal rains. No newspapers were published. Abject poverty reigned all over.
Socio-Economic Development in Balochistan after 1947
- A comparison of socio-economic as well as political situation in 1947, with that of today, can easily explain that the ‘deprivation’ is somewhat exaggerated. After Pakistan came into being, the socio-economic developments in Balochistan especially in Kalati-Balochistan have been simply, phenomenal. Every field of life has seen major developments in the province. Balochistan’s total revenue generation is even now less than Rs.30 billion, mainly due to very low taxation and very poor collection. The budget allocation, in the form of grants by federal government, has been growing for some years now. In 2017, it shot up to Rs.328 billion.
Federal Governments’ Lapses & Initiatives. Balochistan’s peculiar environment was indeed, ignored initially for a long time by Federal Governments. But eventually special measures were started to match the socio-economic challenges. Balochistan constitutes about 43 % of Pakistan area-wise and has 4 % population. Federal fiscal allocations which used to be on the basis of population had been enhanced to 9% some 8 years ago. Similarly, special packages for alleviation of poverty and facilitating competition at national level for education and jobs, have been allowed from time to time.
Subsidy for agriculture tube wells now amounting to some Rs.30 billion is paid by the Federal Government annually. The 18th Amendment to Constitution ended Concurrent List and provinces got the full autonomy that they wanted. The responsibility and resources have been with the provinces, ever since to provide good governance.
- Domestic Dynamics. The rigours of harsh geography have been softened due to electricity, creation and development of infrastructure. However, the style of governance in Balochistan has remained essentially tribal since 1972, ever since a Baloch/Brahui has been the CM. Every government has been accused of perpetual massive corruption.
The customs of tribal sardari system, denial of property to Individuals, tribal battles prohibiting development, HR violations, lack of judicial and administrative redress and weak writ of government have suffocated economic activity. Natural gas and electricity is brazenly used without paying the bills or just stolen, forcing the companies to cut off supplies.
Education, beset by political appointees masquerading as teachers, is perhaps the most damaging, persistent lapse in Balochistan. Getting Degrees by hook or crook, cheating, bullying or buying may land you a job in Balochistan but it will never help in growth and improving socio-economic state comparable with Pakistan. Poverty, hunger and disease will thus linger on. These ills have to be addressed domestically by the new generation.
Conclusion
- A socio-economic comparison of the areas now called Balochistan with what there was, in 1947, will clearly negate it. Comparison must be in terms of economic, socio-political developments, women emancipation and even borders finalization with Iran and retrieval of Gwadar from Oman.
- Other indicators should include per capita income, infrastructure development to include roads, ports, airports, availability of electricity, now solar power also, gas, tube wells, phones, hospitals, schools, colleges, universities, jobs, industry, newspapers, radio and TV channels. A list of public office holders from this province to include PMs, CMs, governors, ministers, senators and elected representatives needs to be compared with none in 1947.
- The perception of ‘deprivation’ is part exaggerated and part our own doing. Let us resolve to improve upon whatever we are busy in doing. We need to work smarter, harder with integrity to blend with the general standards of the country.
God be with you.